Central Trade Unions call for Nationwide General Strike on 8th and 9th January 2019

National Convention of Workers decides to go for Nationwide General Strike on 8-9 January 2019 against the anti-people, anti-worker, anti-national policies of the BJP-led NDA Government.

The National Convention of Workers held today, the 28th September 2018, in Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi, decided to go for two days’ Nationwide General Strike on 8-9 January 2019 against the anti-people, anti-worker, anti-national policies of the BJP-led NDA Government.

The convention was jointly called by the ten Central Trade Unions (INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC,TUCC, AICCTU, SEWA, LPF, UTUC), in association with all independent National Federations of Workers and Employees, of both Industrial and Service sectors, Central Government and State Government employees, including Railways, Defense, Health, Education, Water, Post, Scheme Workers etc; in the public sector undertaking such as Banks, Insurance, Telecom, Oil, Coal, Public Transport etc, Factories, and from the unorganised sectors-Construction, Beedi, Street vendors, Domestic Workers, Migrant Workers, Scheme workers, Home based workers, rickshaw, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, agricultural workers etc., expresses serious concern over the deteriorating situation in the national economy due to the pro- corporate, anti-national and anti-people policies pursued by the Central Government and some of the States ruled by the BJP, grievously impacting the livelihood of the working people across the country.

The Convention noted with utter dismay that the Government has been continuing to arrogantly ignore the 12 point Charter of Demands on minimum wage, universal social security, workers’ status and including pay and facilities for the scheme workers, against privatization of public and government sector including financial sectors and mass scale contractorisation, ratification of ILO Convention 87, 98 etc. being jointly pursued by the entire trade union movement of the country. The ILO Convention 177 on Home Work and 189 on Domestic Work are also yet not ratified.

The Convention expressed its grave concern on scraping of hard-won 44 Central Labour Laws and replacing them with 4 employer-friendly Labour Codes and introduction of Fixed Term Employment through executive order. The Convention also expressed its anguish over New Pension Scheme and demand restoration of the old Pension Scheme. The Convention expresses solidarity with the fighting farmers and the Transport Workers of Rajasthan who are on an indefinite strike since 16th September, 2018.

This National Convention of Workers recorded its strong denunciation against the communal and divisive machinations on the society being carried on with the active patronage of the Government machinery. The BJP Governments are using draconian UAPA, NSA as well as the agencies of CBI, NIA, IT to harass and suppress any dissenting opinions. The peace loving secular people in the country are facing a stark situation of terror and insecurity all around. Working Class will raise its strong voice of protest.

In order to serve the interests of the multinational companies with Indian corporate, the present Government is pursuing blatantly anti-people, anti-workers and anti-national policies at the cost of severely damaging the national economy and destroying its indigenous productive and manufacturing capabilities. Such a regime must be defeated squarely to force the pro-people changes in policies on all fronts. This united platform of the working class resolves to heighten its struggle to that end.

The National Convention of workers adopted the following programmes:

1. State level, district level and industry/sector level joint conventions to be held during October/November 20182. Joint Industry-level gate meetings, rallies etc. during November and December,20183. Submission of strike notice jointly with demonstrations during 17-22 December, 20184. Two days countrywide General Strike on 8th and 9th January 2019.

The National Convention called upon working people across the sectors and throughout the country irrespective of affiliations, independent unions, federations, associations to make the above programmes a total success.

PARLIAMENT MARCH & RALLY OF ABOUT 20000 CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES – CONFEDERATION

MASSIVE PARLIAMENT MARCH & RALLY OF ABOUT 20000 CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 11TH JULY 2016

33 LAKHS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WILL PARTICIPATE

A massive parliament march and rally of about 20000 Central Government Employees was held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 24th June 2016. The rally was organized by National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) of Central Government Employees comprising Railways, Defence, Confederation and Postal organizations demanding modification in the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commissions including minimum wage and fitment formula. Other demands are scrapping of New Contributory Pension Scheme, No FDI in Railways and Defence, Grant of Civil Servant status to Gramin Dak Sevaks, filling up of vacancies, enhancement of bonus ceiling, No outsourcing, downsizing, contractorisation and corporatisation etc.

The NJCA had already given strike notice to Government on 9th June 2016. The Modi Government is not ready for a negotiated settlement with the staff side. The rally called upon the entirely of Central Government employees to intensify the campaign and preparations and make the strike a total success.

About 33 lakhs Central Government Employees will participate in the strike. 40 lakhs Central Government Pensioners have declared their solidarity with the strike. Central Trade Unions had also extended their full support. State Government Employees Federations have cautioned the Central Government that they will also be compelled to join the strike if Government refuse to settle the demands relating to 7th CPC recommendations as majority of the state Governments are implementing the Central pay parity to their employees also.

“A Cabinet Note is being prepared and is likely to be submitted to the Cabinet, Government of India, very shortly. We are not very sure that, the demands raised by the Staff Side, NC/JCM have been incorporated in that Cabinet Note”. – NJCA

On 5th May, 2016 I met the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, and once again draw his attention towards my letter NO.NC/JCM/2016 dated: May 2, 2016, a copy of the said letter was also handed over to him.

During discussion I also mentioned about the anguish of the Central Government employees because of inordinate delay in implementation of VII CPC recommendations and also their anxiety about enhancement in Minimum Wage as well as Multiplying Factor etc.

I also demanded a meeting with the Staff Side, NC/JCM on all the issues raised by the Staff Side, NC/JCM and demanded that, views of the Official Side should also be made known to the Staff Side.

The Cabinet Secretary agreed to hold a meeting with some of the Secretaries, particularly with the Secretary(Exp.), Secretary, DoP&T and whosoever is required, particularly for discussion.

It has been assumed that, a Cabinet Note is being prepared and is likely to be submitted to the Cabinet, Government of India, very shortly. We are not very sure that, the demands raised by the Staff Side, NC/JCM have been incorporated in that Cabinet Note.

In these circumstances I believe that, we should call a meeting of the NJCA and discuss about the strategy and future course of action, particularly in regard to Strike Notice on 9th June, 2016 and “Indefinite Strike” from 11th July, 2016.

The meeting of the NJCA will be held on 3rd June, 2016 at 16:00 hrs. in JCM Office, 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi.

Hope, all members of the NJCA will make it convenient to attend the meeting.

Comrades,
The flash strike against the recent PF Rules, 2016 of the Central Government (i.e., Centre’s new rule on Provident Fund withdrawal) by large section of Garment Factory Workers and other Industrial Workers of Karnataka State on 18th and 19th April 2016 received immense response and there was a massive protest which resulted in road blocks for hours together, thereby the entire traffic of Bengaluru City was paralyzed. The traffic was also severely affected on Mysore, Tumkur and Hosur roads.

The COC Karnataka extended moral support and sympathy for this Labour Movement. The February 10th notification was under attack from trade unions from the beginning. The notification was published in the gazette on February 26 and created technical problems.

The violence in Bengaluru prompted the Labour Ministry, Govt. of India to cancel the February 10 notification which put restrictions on 100% withdrawal from the PF account.

Within few hours of protest in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka state , the Hon’ble Minsiter for Labour, Shri.Bandaru Dattatreya acted upon and withdrawn the notification issued on February 10th and informed that the old system will continue. This is a victory for the workers of the country.

This clearly shows that the Government of India does not want to antagonize the workers. If the Central Government employees also participate in trade union action against the retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC similar to the Garment Workers of Karnataka, we too can get similar results and hope for a better wage revision and a decent wage hike.

This Labour movement of the Garment Workers of Karnataka state is an eye-opener for all other working class in the entire country, Comrades if one state and one particular working class movement can bring changes to the policy of the Central Government, if the entire the entire country the Central Government employees agitate against the retrograde recommendations of the 7th CPC (where only 14 % wage hike was provided against the staff side demand of 80% wage hike and also reducing the number of allowances and reduction in HRA rates) then the Central Government shall provide the decent wage hike by settling the issue of wage hike with the staff side NJCA like the PF issue being settled.

Comrades it is high time to prepare for 11th July strike of Central Government employees under the banner of NJCA. We shall get good results and Central Government shall grant better wage hike than the 7th CPC recommendations. Better we prepare for 11th July strike better wage hike we get.

AIRF to conduct secret ballot for indefinite strike on 11-12th, February 2016

All affiliated unions of AIRF had conducted Strike Ballot on 37 Point Charter of Demands in the month of December, 2013. After Strike Ballot, 7th CPC was appointed by a Notification by the Govt. on 28th February, 2014 and some of the issues were partially resolved. In the meantime General Election of Country was convened, we had to postponed the strike as per decision of the General Council of AIRF held at Kota 9W. C. Railway) in February, 2014. The new Govt. led by Shri Narendra Modi took oath on 26th May, 2014. The next General Council of AIRF held in July, 2014 postponed the strike decision further to provide time to the new Govt. to settle. But the same Govt. instead of reciprocrating the good gesture issued notification on 22nd August, 2014 permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Construction, Operation and Maintenance and after one month i.e. on 22nd September, 2014 appointed a Committee headed by Shri BibekDebroy for re-structuring of Indian Railways.

STRIKE BALLOT

All affiliated unions of AIRF had conducted Strike Ballot on 37 Point Charter of Demands in the month of December, 2013. After Strike Ballot, 7th CPC was appointed by a Notification by the Govt. on 28th February, 2014 and some of the issues were partially resolved. In the meantime General Election of Country was convened, we had to postponed the strike as per decision of the General Council of AIRF held at Kota 9W. C. Railway) in February, 2014.

The new Govt. led by Shri Narendra Modi took oath on 26th May, 2014. The next General Council of AIRF held in July, 2014 postponed the strike decision further to provide time to the new Govt. to settle. But the same Govt. instead of reciprocrating the good gesture issued notification on 22nd August, 2014 permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Construction, Operation and Maintenance and after one month i.e. on 22nd September, 2014 appointed a Committee headed by Shri BibekDebroy for re-structuring of Indian Railways.

The Committee had since submitted its report drawing a road – map for privatisation of Indian Railways through contractorisation. Inspite all out protest by all affiliated union of AIRF and other Central Govt. Employee’s organisation Govt. did not stop in taking all antilabour steps, rather escalating the same. The 7th CPC was appointed to submit its report within 18 months i.e. by August, 2015. During deliberations of NC/JCM with the Pay Commission, Justice A. K. Mathur, the Chairman of the 7th CPC assured that he would submit the report to the Govt. on 28th August, 2015. But the Govt. extended the date for submission of the report by 4 months.

The Pay Commission has submitted its report on 19th November, 2015, which is over loaded with all antilabour recommendations. The National Joint Council of Action has submitted a rejoinder to the report to the Govt. on 10th December, 2015 and AIRF has submitted two rejoinders on the report of 7th CPC to the Ministry of Railways on 14th& 15th December, 2015, fixing a time frame of 1st week of February, 2016 for a negotiated settlement failing which all the Central Govt. Employees including Railways would be compelled to launch an indefinite strike from any date from 1st week of March, 2016. There was only a preliminary discussion with the Govt. on 12th December, 2015.

The Govt. has formed a Committee of Empowered Secretaries of the Govt. of India headed by the Cabinet Secretary. Finding no further response Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, the Convenor of National JCA has sent a communication to the Union Finance Minister on 21st January, 2016 highlighting the protest Dharna launched by all Central Govt. Employees Organisations across the country from 19th to 21st January, 2016. The empowered Committee of Secretaries of the Govt. of India headed by the Cabinet Secretary has also been appointed by the Govt. on 27.01.2016 to process the implementation of the report of 7th CPC. The 2nd Strike Ballot perforced by FDI, Deb Roy Committee’s report, anti labour report of 7th CPC etc. would be conducted on 11th& 12th February, 2016 on the following Charter of Demands.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. To improve Minimum Wage of Rs.18,000/- and multiplying factor. Reject all the retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC.2. Scrap National Pension Scheme(NPS) and restore Old Pension Scheme for all those who appointed on or after 01.01.2004.3. Settle 36-point Charter of Demands, include reduction in duty hours, removal of anomalies of 6th CPC, removal of ceiling of Rs.3500 for PLB, grievances of different categories of railwaymen, improvement in the medical facilities, railway quarters etc. etc., already submitted to Ministry of Railways by the AIRF in December, 2013(on which strike ballot was conducted on 20th and 21st December, 2013).4. Scrap Report of Bibek Deb Roy Committee and implement positive recommendations of D.P. Tripathi Committee.5. Re-call the Notification issued by the Government of India on 22nd August, 2014 in the matter of 100% FDI in Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Indian Railways and to scrap all the agreements entered with the Foreign/National Companies in detriment to the interest of the Indian Railways and the country as a whole.6. Stop all anti-workers amendments in the labour-laws.7. Injustice done with the Technicians, Technical Supervisors(Engineers), Loco & Traffic Running Staff, Operating and Medical Categories Staff, etc. etc. in respect of allotment of Pay Matrix and promotions also should be done away with and justice be administered.8. Parity in pay structure and promotional scope for Common Categories with those working in the Central Secretariat/Ministries should be ensured.9. Retain all the existing allowances and advances.10-A. Constitute Joint Committee at each Ministry/Department level to resolve VII CPC anomalies, aberrations and injustice within a time frame manner, and powers for the same should be delegated to the Ministries to resolve their issues at the Ministry level. 10-B. Set-up National Joint Committee to discuss and resolve all VII CPC anomalies, aberrations and injustice within a time frame. 11. Ensure payment of arrear for PLB as per amendment in the Bonus Act, as was done in the year 2008. The All India Railwaymen’s Federation gives a clarion call to all railwaymen irrespective of their affiliation to any organization to participate in the Strike Ballot and exercise opinion in this regard.

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